Serap Çileli, activist and author, was born in 1966 in Mersin, Turkey. Her family emigrated to Germany when she was eight years old. When she was 12, her father engaged her to a man for the first time. Serap attempted suicide and got out of the impending marriage. At 15, she was no longer able to avoid being married to a stranger. She left school in Germany and moved to Turkey. After seven years, the marriage ended and Serap was able to convince her parents to let her return to Germany with her two children. As soon as she returned, [...]
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — Many Colombians were surprised recently when a leading business magnate broached the idea of amending the constitution so conservative President Alvaro Uribe may run for a third consecutive term in 2010. After all, Uribe’s supporters already amended the constitution once to permit him to succeed himself, which he did by handily winning elections last May. Two successive terms for a president is generally accepted international practice, but three is not, and in the eyes of many, it would constitute a blow to democracy. Yet, the idea could be politically viable because the Colombian president’s popularity is above [...]
Ly Kim-Song; a great journalistic backbone: 1943-2007 Any idiot can cover a firefight, it has often been said among journalists. The real trick is getting in, getting out and not fouling up the job by getting yourself killed. Success depends on common sense, solid equipment and most importantly your backup. For many a journalist and photographer in Cambodia Ly Kim-Song was that backup. Mr Song, as he was known to everyone, died suddenly on Sunday, January 14, after a period of illness. He was 64. Song was born in the southeastern province of Svay Rieng where he spent his formative [...]
